Arab League still backs peace initiative

JERUSALEM (JTA) — The Arab League voted at its annual summit to continue backing an initiative that would give Israel land for peace.

The renewed support for the Arab peace initiative announced Sunday in Libya came despite efforts by Syria and Lebanon to convince the league to withdraw from peace efforts.

Continued Israeli building and building approvals in eastern Jerusalem, which the Palestinians claim as the capital of a future state, has angered league members.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas called on world leaders to demand that Israel stop building settlements and said he would not sign a peace deal with Israel without eastern Jerusalem in Palestinian hands.